FORT LAUDERDALE – Rapper Sean Kingston and his mother Janice Turner were arraigned Monday in a Fort Lauderdale courtroom on state charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
The singer, whose real name is Kisean Anderson, and Turner are accused of defrauding victims out of high-end cars, jewelry and other goods the courts say they purchased using fraudulent documents. The charges from the state include fraud, grand theft and criminal use of identification.
Wearing matching white outfits, Kingston and Turner submitted written pleas of not guilty and both remained silent as they left the courthouse.
Also on Friday, the 34-year-old singer and his mother appeared in federal court where they pleaded not guilty to wire fraud charges. Kingston and Turner each face one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and five counts of wire fraud.
If convicted, they could spend decades in prison.
“We believe he’s innocent and we’re looking forward to trying his case in state or federal court or both if necessary,” said Kingston’s attorney Robert Rosenblatt after Monday’s arraignment.